The page, which has to date attracted 220 likes, described itself upon its launch this way:

This page has been launched by National Party supporters concerned by talk of a leadership coup underway in the Labour Party.

We believe it is in the National interest for Labour Leader David Shearer to hold onto his job, and this page has been established to offer our moral support for his survival.

Feel free to signal your enthusiasm for Labour to keep David Shearer as Leader by leaving a message or liking our page. (Nothing nasty please).

We want to let Mr Shearer know that we’re right behind him.

The joke will only compound the fury of Shearer's detractors, some of whom have expressed suspicion that the most vocal of the Labour leader's supporters among commentators appear to hark from the right side of the political spectrum.